Just started watching the short-lived series K Street (can we say relevant to my interests? lol). It's a weird amalgamation of fact and fiction, a semi-scripted improv show with actors John Slattery and Mary McCormack alongside real-life politicos James Carville and Mary Matalin as the principals in a DC political consulting firm.
I am kind of not surprised it was unsuccessful, because I imagine it would be a little confusing and probably not nearly as fun to play the "OMG it's [real politician/journalist/etc.]" game if you're not a politics nerd like me. It was all shot on location in DC, too, so I'm also playing the "OMG I know exactly where they are/have been to that Starbucks!" game.
The filming is in the mockumentary style - handheld camera, unpolished shots, no scoring whatsoever (but no talking heads). Since much of it is unscripted, there's a lot of arguing and talking over each other, which is realistic, but can be hard to follow at times, especially if you're not familiar with the issues. Although, even being from 2003, the debates are still pretty topical. For example, in the second episode, the firm tries to get the RIAA as a client, and I am having serious flashbacks hearing all the discussion about copyright/piracy issues, lol (it hasn't changed much since 2003...).
While we are talking about the intersection of my two favorite things, I've also been watching the Hulu series Battleground, another mockumentary following a Wisconsin Senate campaign. Doesn't have quite the same sheen of realism, but it's very funny!
I am kind of not surprised it was unsuccessful, because I imagine it would be a little confusing and probably not nearly as fun to play the "OMG it's [real politician/journalist/etc.]" game if you're not a politics nerd like me. It was all shot on location in DC, too, so I'm also playing the "OMG I know exactly where they are/have been to that Starbucks!" game.
The filming is in the mockumentary style - handheld camera, unpolished shots, no scoring whatsoever (but no talking heads). Since much of it is unscripted, there's a lot of arguing and talking over each other, which is realistic, but can be hard to follow at times, especially if you're not familiar with the issues. Although, even being from 2003, the debates are still pretty topical. For example, in the second episode, the firm tries to get the RIAA as a client, and I am having serious flashbacks hearing all the discussion about copyright/piracy issues, lol (it hasn't changed much since 2003...).
While we are talking about the intersection of my two favorite things, I've also been watching the Hulu series Battleground, another mockumentary following a Wisconsin Senate campaign. Doesn't have quite the same sheen of realism, but it's very funny!